Angler Reels in Monster Muskie From Minnesota Lake, Garners State Record—And Has the Photos to Prove It

Angler Reels in Monster Muskie From Minnesota Lake, Garners State Record—And Has the Photos to Prove It
Courtesy of Minnesota Department of Natural Resources
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A Minnesota angler has garnered a certified state record after catching a monster muskellunge, which was promptly released back into the water, at Mille Lacs Lake.

Back in June, Eric Bakke of Princeton was fishing on the large but shallow lake near where Mille Lacs, Aitkin, and Crow Wing Counties intersect when he hooked and reeled in a massive muskie.

He had been scouring the area with his fishing buddy, Jon Blood, and using baited footlong muskie lures, a press release stated. After the fish took the bait, the angler spent several minutes reeling it in. After hauling the muskie aboard, it took less than a minute to take measurements, snap photos, and release it back into the water.

The ginormous fish measured a jaw-dropping 58.25 inches in length.

“To be able to target and catch fish of this caliber has been one of the great passions of my life,” said Bakke. “In order to catch more and bigger fish you have to put them back: ‘let them go, let them grow.’”

Eric Bakke hauls in his muskie at Mille Lacs Lake on June 11, 2022. (Courtesy of Minnesota Department of Natural Resources)
Eric Bakke hauls in his muskie at Mille Lacs Lake on June 11, 2022. Courtesy of Minnesota Department of Natural Resources
Eric Bakke shows off his state record muskie on June 11, 2022. (Courtesy of Minnesota Department of Natural Resources)
Eric Bakke shows off his state record muskie on June 11, 2022. Courtesy of Minnesota Department of Natural Resources
Eric Bakke's muskie claimed the state record, measuring 58.25 inches in length. (Courtesy of Minnesota Department of Natural Resources)
Eric Bakke's muskie claimed the state record, measuring 58.25 inches in length. Courtesy of Minnesota Department of Natural Resources

He added that his record “should and will” be broken in the next couple of years if anglers pledge to catch and release, thus allowing the muskies to grow and other anglers potentially the catch of a lifetime.

In late October, over four months since Bakke’s big catch, the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) certified his giant muskellunge as the state catch-and-release record. Two anglers had previously tied for the title, having reeled in 57.25-inch muskies on Lake Vermilion in 2019 and 2021.

Bakke said, “I’d like to say thank you to all of the people who have caught that fish over the past 20-plus years, took care of her, and put her back. She is still out there for all of you to go try to catch again!”

There are muskies as old as 30 years on record, according to Wisconsin DNR.

Bakke is a member of the Wisconsin-based non-profit Muskies Inc., from whom he has picked up some great angling tips and learned to handle big fish with the utmost respect.

Eric Bakke released his muskie back into Mille Lacs Lake. (Courtesy of Minnesota Department of Natural Resources)
Eric Bakke released his muskie back into Mille Lacs Lake. Courtesy of Minnesota Department of Natural Resources
Eric Bakke poses proudly with his muskie before releasing it back into the lake. (Courtesy of Minnesota Department of Natural Resources)
Eric Bakke poses proudly with his muskie before releasing it back into the lake. Courtesy of Minnesota Department of Natural Resources
(Courtesy of Minnesota Department of Natural Resources)
Jon Hansen, a fisheries management consultant at the Minnesota DNR, told Fox News in an email: “The long-lived muskie is a perfect example of the importance of catch-and-release fishing. Given it takes decades to reach a trophy size, the widespread adoption of catch-and-release fishing for muskies has been instrumental in moving the bar higher and higher when it comes to growing giant fish.”
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